There were actually several factors that were considered and weighed upon heavily in making our determination to include:We implemented an on-line service where citizens involved in an accident {that met certain criteria — non-injury etc.} could report the information themselves — instead of waiting for an officer to respond to the scene. Those accident reports go directly to the State and bypass us therefore making it impossible for us to document them and where they occurred.Often times, if a fatality took place, a higher weight {level} would be assigned making it appear that the intersection was more dangerous — when in fact there may have only been one fatality and no other incidents. This was misleading.Third point- When a “Top Accident” locations list was released, officers concentrated their efforts and focused their attention primarily on those particular spots. Attention is now provided to all areas.The raw data is collected and shared with each division {Gold Hill, Stetson Hills, Falcon and Sand Lake} so they can assign their resources to the areas specific to them.

A tow truck removes two vehicles after a collision at Half Turn & Academy.

If you drive on Academy Boulevard, you need to be focused. A list of 58 intersections with more than 12 traffic crashes shows that 38.74 percent of accidents reported to the Colorado Springs Police Department in 2011 occurred on Academy.

In total, 446 traffic crashes happened on 21 intersections along Academy Boulevard. On South Academy alone, 125 total crashes happened at just four intersections, with those at Airport Road and Fountain Boulevard leading the way.

(So much for the argument that everyone just drives Powers Boulevard these days.)

Overall, 1151 crashes reported to CSPD in 2011 occurred at the 58 intersections. According to Deputy Chief Vincent Niski from the police department's Support Bureau, the list "will not include any crashes reported to the Colorado State Patrol or those investigated by outside agencies."